True Crime Podcasting as Journalistic Heterodoxy

Boundary Practices and Journalistic Epistemology of a Heretic Interloper

Bibliographic Data

ID7162255
AuthorsPhoebe Maares (0000-0002-9518-7132, University of Vienna, corresponding author), Gregory Perreault (0000-0002-6645-1117, University of South Florida)
Year2025
Volume26
Issue8
Pages901-919
Publication date2025-06-11
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1461-670X • E-ISSN: 1469-9699
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/1461670x.2025.2486215
OpenAlexW4409163357
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited45

Non-fictional true crime reporting has enjoyed a somewhat deviant position within the journalistic field and has been rejected as sensationalist and not considered “good” journalism by journalistic discourse. Relative to other peripheral forms of journalism, podcasting has received comparatively less attention even as the medium is considered the fastest growing. Through the lens of boundary work, this study investigates six US true crime podcasts to explore their epistemic practices and how they approach ethical dilemmas in reporting. This study argues that podcasts display a largely subjective approach to truthmaking, embracing the entertaining power of stories to create change. Most podcast series studied employ longstanding sourcing and reporting practices to legitimize their position within the journalistic field, reflecting the transferable values of journalism to new forms of reporting

Epistemology · Heresy · Heterodoxy · Orthodoxy · Political science · Sociology · Theology · Law · Media Studies and Communication · Philosophy · Radio, Podcasts, and Digital Media · Social Media and Politics

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Open DOIOpen Access